Remembering Henry Cavendish, the physicist who discovered Hydrogen and the mass of Earth
British philosopher, scientist, chemist and physicist Henry Cavendish is known for his discovery of Earth's density, hydrogen and the composition of water.
Henry Cavendish was a British philosopher, scientist, chemist and physicist. He is best known for his discovery of hydrogen or 'inflammable air', the density of air and the discovery of Earth's mass.
Born on October 10, 1731, in Nic to a family with the background of aristocrats. He died on February 24, 1810.
He completed his schooling from Dr. Newcomb's Academy in Hackney, England. He went to Cambridge University in 1749 for his higher studies.
Most of his work has little evidence to support his theories but all of them were experimentally proven in theory. It is the essence of Cavendish's work that he has effective results with the seemingly limited study.
There is no division of science that Cavendish hasn't worked upon but his work was most noted in the fields of chemistry and physics.
Major discoveries by Henry Cavendish
- Around 1766 to 1788, Henry made notable discoveries in chemistry. During this period, he also published a paper on the density of Earth
- He also recognised the presence of clear parts of many chemical reactions in the air. Like the Hydrogen also called by 'flammable air'
- He discovered the presence of Hydrogen in the atmosphere - a definite, peculiar and highly inflammable gas produced by the action of certain acids and metals
- By dissolving alkalis in acids, Henry Cavendish made 'fixed air' (Carbon dioxide). He then measured their specific gravity and combustibility by upturning the carbon dioxide over water or mercury.
- He also determined the withholding properties of Calcium carbonate (chalk, calcareous earth)
- Cavendish also discovered to form Calcium Bicarbonate by mixing calcium carbonate and carbon dioxide, which is the cause of temporary hardness of water
- The idea that the hardness of the water can be softened by adding lime (calcium hydroxide) was also given by him
- Henry Cavendish found the properties of dielectrics (nonconducting electricity)
- He also gave an example of some fishs' ability to give an electric shock. He made an imitation of fish using leather and wood soaked in salt water with tin representing the organ to produce the effect.
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